The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has recovered 85 Kenyans' passports and rescued seven suspected victims of human trafficking during a three-day crackdown operation that also led to 29 arrests and the seizure of suspected contraband worth Ksh62.7 million.
The operations, dubbed Usalama XII, targeted counterfeit goods, illicit alcohol, smuggled cigarettes, falsified pharmaceuticals, human trafficking and other organised crimes across seven regions in the country.
According to a DCI statement, detectives conducted 198 motor vehicle checks against the INTERPOL database to identify vehicles linked to criminal activities.
One of the major discoveries was in Westlands, Nairobi, where detectives arrested a suspect at a recruitment agency allegedly operating without a license.
Counterfeit collected during the DCI crackdown operation on October 14, 2026
Photo
DCI
“Officers recovered 85 Kenyans' passports, work visas and employment contracts from the premises, with investigations expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the documents and the agency’s recruitment activities,” DCI said.
In a separate operation in Roysambu, detectives rescued three girls suspected of being victims of sexual exploitation.
In Nakuru, there was an interception in Gilgil, Nakuru County, that led to four Somali nationals suspected to be victims of human trafficking, which included two minors, and there was also a suspect who was found transporting 90,000 sticks of suspected smuggled cigarettes valued at approximately Ksh2 million, as well as some excise stamps.
In addition, the nationwide crackdown targeted businesses suspected of dealing in counterfeit products, with Nairobi recording seizures of consumer goods, electrical accessories, and automotive components worth millions of shillings.
Among the counterfeit products were 3,991 Samsung and iPhone adapters, 1,963 football jerseys and Adidas balls, beauty products, vehicle spare parts and lubricants.
In Kayole, falsified pharmaceuticals and diverted medical supplies were recovered from an unlicensed clinic, while in Eastleigh officers from the National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau seized bottles containing psychotropic substances from a pharmacy, which were taken for further analysis.
The operation also led to the recovery of suspected counterfeit storage devices and footwear as authorities moved against the sale and distribution of illicit goods.
“Usalama XII was coordinated by the National Central Bureau and the DCI at headquarters, bringing together investigative agencies, regulators, brand owners and local police units,” DCI stated.
Counterfeit collected during the DCI crackdown operation on October 14, 2026
Photo
DCI